Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interests recorded.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 14 January 2026.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Select Committee received progress updates in relation to its previous review of Narrowing the Gap in Educational Attainment.

The review had been carried out using an Appreciative Inquiry Approach. The benefit of the approach had been in the awareness raising of the issues. It had also brought all stakeholders together at events and secured support for agreed objectives and future action.

The Select Committee received progress updates in relation to the following recommendations:

Recommendation 3 - Improve communication

Design, deliver and support parent/carer communication strategies:

·         Use new technologies and apps

·         Implement communication strategies early ensuring that good communication is embedded across the school community

·         Consider single points of contact and how best to communicate (not relying on technology alone)

·         Offer parent/ carer engagement training for all staff

Recommendation 8 - Extend enrichment offer

Strengthen and extend curriculum enrichment offer which better matches pupils needs and interests:

·         Extend enrichment to include kick-boxing; boxing; coding; cooking clubs; sports clubs and story

·         Extend and promote the Tees Active Offer to include First Aid, paddle boards (team building) and extend offer within school holidays

·         Engage with the Healthy Schools Programme and Healthy Settings Programme

Recommendation 9 - Celebrate achievement

Extend the range of opportunities to celebrate achievement including recognition for out of school activities and engagement with local, regional and national awards and competitions.

Recommendation 17 - Review cost of living responses to diminish impact

Review Cost of Living responses to diminish its impact, with specific reference to period poverty, food poverty and school uniform:

·         Work with Child Poverty Network.

·         Work with schools to better promote/communicate Cost of Living interventions.

·         Encourage all schools to ‘Poverty Proof the School Day’

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         Work was ongoing to improve communication with parents/carers and communities. A Starting Reception booklet had been distributed with applications for primary school

·         Youth Guarantee Trailblazer had offered insights

·         Recruitment was underway for a Transitions Lead to work across the education system, capturing pupil voice, working with schools around Work Experience and all aspects of transitions

·         The importance of open pathways was emphasised with opportunities for apprenticeships as well as vocational routes

·         A cost-of-living booklet had previously been distributed and was now available online

·         The ‘A Second Dance Project’ was delivered in partnership with Wellington Square and provided an alternative way to prepare for prom. All items were donated by residents and local businesses and to date 72 young people had been provided with their dream prom outfit

AGREED that the progress updates be noted and assessments of progress be confirmed.

To receive feedback from Member visits to electively home educated and home and hospital pupils.

The Chair and Vice Chair gave feedback on visits to Home and Hospital and Electively Home Educated pupils. Details would be included with the Committee’s summary of evidence.

AGREED that the work programme be noted.